Rio Grande to Tolhuin

This ripio route is a welcome break from the trucks on RN3 in Tierra del Fuego. It has the added advantage of having trees along some sections of the road that provide a little bit of shelter from the incessant wind. There is nowhere between Rio Grande and Tolhuin to buy food, but water is not a problem to find.

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Details

Distance – 154kms

Head south from Rio Grande on busy RN3. A few kms after a police checkpoint and 22kms from Club Nautico in Rio Grande (0m), turn R onto RP ‘J’.
From here it is 69kms to the old parador at Lago Yehuin, which has been well and truly looted. The main ripio road doesn’t go to the parador or shore of Lago Yehuin (30m) – to get to the lake turn R at the signed junction 68kms from RN3 and continue 1km to the parador.
From the parador it is 44kms back to RN3 and a further 19kms on RN3 to Tolhuin and its famous bakery. The ripio is in good condition the whole way, and all climbs are gentle.